Softer
clay worked the best. New Kato may be just fine. I have not tried it. I used Fimo and Premo!
You can use the two together with great results. In addition, they each have colors that the other doesn’t, so you can
make awesome color blends. I will be doing two techniques, so be sure you get enough clay for both.
Please note:
You
will not need your pasta machine.* I
never even used mine for these techniques. Think ZEN…
Condition your
clay by hand. Get it nice and warmed up, roll it in a ball and wrap each color separately. Keep
in a cool, dry, but not cold or freezing, spot until classtime. Let it sit a minimum of 24 hours. I don’t recommend
putting in the fridge.
*If it is difficult for you to hand-condition clay, feel free to use your pasta machine. Once conditioned, roll the
clay between your palms to warm it, and form into a ball. Follow the rest of above directions.
Faux Amber:
2
oz. Translucent (more if desired; make large beads…)
2 oz.
Sunflower-Yellow
2 oz. Premo! Alizarin Crimson
Hue, 2 oz. (very dark, deep red),
2 oz. Lemon Yellow
Faux Coral:
2
oz. Sunflower-Yellow, 2 oz.
2 oz. Raspberry
or red violet, 2 oz. (but keep the Alizarin Crimson handy)
2 oz.
Mandarin orange, tangerine (just plain orange will work). You want your orange to be bright, but not neon or fluorescent
orange
2 oz. Translucent (more if desired; make large beads,
what a concept!…)
2 oz. White
Tools and other stuff to bring
· Bring the usual clay tools with you, including craft knife, needle tool,
glass or tile work surface
·
Small tile to bake your
beads on, or a bead baking rack (can someone bring???)
· Grater, clay-dedicated only
· Toothbrush or stiff paintbrush
· Couple of rags, preferably terry cloth or flannel
·
Paper towels
·
Piece of denim or cotton
cloth for buffing
Optional: Sandpaper, various grits, from very coarse to very fine for texturing and/or sanding
Extruder with ¼” circle die (useful for consistency, but not necessary)
Instructor will
bring an extra oven, extra grater, burnt umber acrylic paint, and, if I can find it, my bead baking rack.
